Weather Forecast

Beltrami County District Court for the week of April 6-13

Tyler James Skogen, 23, of Bemidji, amended his plea to guilty April 7 to felony first-degree sale of 10 or more grams of drugs. His next court date will be June 1.

In September, October and November, agents of the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force conducted an investigation into methamphetamine trafficking by Skogen. A confidential informant bought a total of 19.5 grams. Skogen has prior convictions for theft.

Shawn Allen Kingbird, 24, of Redby, amended his plea to guilty April 7 to felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI, refusal to submit. His next court date will be May 11.

At 3:30 a.m. Dec. 14, A Beltrami County Sheriff's deputy responded to a request for assistance by the Red Lake Police Department. A Red Lake officer was in pursuit of a vehicle traveling south on state Highway 89 at 100 mph. The vehicle left the exterior boundaries of the Red Lake Reservation and the driver turned left onto Great Divide Road and south onto Cardinal Road, and at the intersection of Cardinal Road and Grange Road evaded stop sticks that had been deployed by a Bemidji police officer. The driver ignored the red squad car lights and orders to stop by officers and continued east on Grange Road. Another deputy successfully deployed stop sticks and flattened both front tires of the suspect vehicle in the vicinity of Warner Road just into Northern Township. All four occupants of the suspect vehicle were taken into custody. A female passenger allegedly said the suspect vehicle was hers. The driver was identified as Kingbird. The female told officers that he had been driving her vehicle and that he and the other occupants of the car had been drinking that night and had been traveling to a bar in Bemidji. The group had reached Red Lake when Kingbird began driving in the wrong lane, nearly striking a squad car. The officer turned around and tried to stop the vehicle, but Kingbird fled. The female confirmed that Kingbird had been driving 100 mph as he left the reservation, attempting to get back to Bemidji. Kingbird said he did not want to be arrested and go back to the Red Lake Jail. He was transported to Beltrami County Jail. He said he was drunk and refused to submit to testing at the jail. He said he had consumed at least five drinks during the course of the evening. He said he was aware he was being pursued by officers and attempted to flee.

Geoffrey Ray Stefen, 40, of Solway, amended his plea April 7 to guilty to felony fleeing a peace officer and misdemeanor fourth-degree DWI. His next court date will be June 2.

At 1:30 a.m. Dec. 18, a Beltrami County Sheriff's deputy observed a vehicle traveling north on Third Street Northwest, cross an intersection and continue west on U.S. Highway 2. The deputy observed that the vehicle's rear license plate was not illuminated. The deputy closed the distance between the squad and vehicle by driving 85 mph. At the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Northwoods Road Northwest, the vehicle turned onto Northwoods Road and increased speed. While in pursuit, the squad car went into a ditch. The officer notified dispatch that the vehicle had turned west on Thorne Road Northwest. A resident in the 14000 block of Thorne Road called police and reported that a neighbor had just parked his truck in her driveway and fled into the woods. The caller believed Steffen was the driver. Deputies found the vehicle and observed fresh tracks into the woods. They followed the tracks to an outbuilding at a residence on the 10000 block of Grant Creek Road Northwest. They found Steffen crouched in the interior compartment of a pickup truck parked in the garage. The suspect appeared to be very cold and may have been suffering from hypothermia. He was identified as Steffen. Deputies observed the odor of alcohol, bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech and an unsteady walk. Steffen was transported to North Country Regional Hospital for evaluation, and a blood draw was conducted.

Anthony Lee Braman, 19, of Bemidji, amended his plea April 7 to guilty to two counts of felony or gross misdemeanor third-degree burglary. The other two counts were dismissed. His next court date will be May 11.

At 6 a.m. Dec. 8, a Beltrami County Sheriff's deputy responded to a report of a burglary at Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge. A door to the office and pool area had been forced open and several items were stolen, including cash, a color television, walkie-talkies, snack foods and keys to other buildings on the premises. The burglars had used a vehicle that left distinctive tire tracks in the snow. The tire tracks appeared to be from a pickup equipped with tires for off-road use. A chain or other object hanging from the vehicle left also left an impression in the snow. A description of the vehicle was given as well as the name Zachary Daniel Bryant. The vehicle was found at Bryant's residence; the tread pattern on the vehicle matched the tracks left at the scene and a chain attached to the trailer hitch matched the description. The deputies were allowed to enter the residence and identified Braman as a resident of the home. Inside the residence, the officers discovered large quantities of property stolen from Ruttger's as well as property from other burglaries. Braman was arrested and gave a statement that he and Bryant broke into Ruttger's and stole $204 in cash together with the other property. He said he and Bryant had committed numerous other burglaries in Beltrami and Hubbard counties in the past several weeks. Specifically, he said he and Bryant broke into the Auto Mart in Bemidji two weeks earlier. They had stolen a television, computer and snack foods. They burglarized the Chalet Car Wash and stole $390. They also stole a quantity of quarters from a vacuum canister at a car wash in Nymore. They broke into Corner Sports several times and stole CD players and other articles. Bryant was located and arrested. His vehicle was seized and searched. Burglary tools and property that was taken from Ruttger's, Corner Sports, Git-R-Dun and the Chalet were found in the vehicle.

George Edwin Mitchell Jr. 20, of Boy Lake, Minn., amended his plea April 7 to guilty to felony theft of a motor vehicle. He will be sentenced May 11.

On Nov. 7, Bemidji Police officers responded to a call regarding a stolen vehicle from a residence on the 900 block of America Avenue Northwest. A description of the vehicle was provided. The male individual told the officer that he had been delivering pizzas and left his vehicle running with the keys in the ignition. He said he realized he was at the wrong address. He went back to his car and saw it being driven off north on America Avenue. Officers were informed that a female at the residence had been with the male individual who took the vehicle. She gave a description of the male who stole the vehicle.

Timothy Wayne Wells, 29, of Bemidji, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on April 7 for gross misdemeanor check forgery. He was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 339 days are stayed for two years, and two years of supervised probation.

He must serve 27 days in jail, with credit for three days served and work release, pay a fine of $583, follow all instructions of probation, have no contact with a co-defendant, take medications in the prescribed dosage and frequency, not use alcohol or controlled substances, submit to random testing, complete an alcohol assessment and follow all recommendations, restitution reserved and remain law-abiding.

A woman reported to a Beltrami County Sheriff's investigator that someone had stolen a book of checks from her purse about Jan. 2. Four checks had been forged with her name, the complaint states.

Marsh Curtis Omberg, 30, of Bena, pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 7 for gross misdemeanor second-degree DWI. He was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 339 days are stayed for four years, and placed on probation to the courts for four years. He may serve in Wright County, at no cost to Beltrami County.

He must serve 29 days in jail with credit for one day served and work release, pay a fine of $958, complete an alcohol assessment and follow recommendations, not use alcohol, not enter bars or liquor stores, submit to random testing and have no same or similar offenses.

At 1:15 a.m. Dec. 5, a Bemidji Police officer observed a vehicle approaching the intersection of Fifth Street Northwest at a high rate of speed. The vehicle came to an abrupt stop at the intersection and immediately turned west on Fifth Street. The vehicle was clocked at 56 mph; the officer pursued the vehicle and activated emergency lights. The vehicle accelerated to speeds of 80-90 mph before it came to a stop. Officers identified Omberg as the driver and observed the odor of alcohol, slow and slurred speech and impaired dexterity. Omberg failed field sobriety tests and registered a preliminary breath alcohol content of .08 in the field. At the Beltrami County Jail, he registered a breath alcohol content of .19. He has two prior DWI convictions.

Ricky Lee Lidel, 53, of Bemidji, pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 7 for gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI. He was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 365 days are stayed for three years, and placed on probation to the courts for three years.

He must pay a fine of $713, complete an alcohol assessment and follow recommendations, not use alcohol, not enter bars or liquor stores, submit to random testing and complete community service for fine.

At 12:08 a.m. Nov. 14, A Beltrami County Sheriff's deputy stopped a pickup truck for failing to dim its headlights for oncoming traffic. The driver was identified as Lidel and the odor of alcohol and slurred speech were observed. Lidel admitted to consuming alcohol that evening. He registered a preliminary breath alcohol concentration of .104. He was arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail where he registered a breath alcohol concentration of .13. He has a prior DWI conviction and was on a no-drink order as a condition in relation to federal parole for conviction of armed bank robbery.

Jason Eugene Norberg, 29, of Bemidji, amended his plea April 7 to guilty to felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. He will be sentenced May 11.

At 10:07 p.m. Oct. 27, a call Beltrami County Law Enforcement received a call indicating that man held a 9mm handgun to a woman's head. The residence was located on the 2300 block of Bardwell Drive Northwest. Beltrami Sheriff's deputies and Bemidji Police officers surrounded the house. The officers were able to remove a female and two minor children from the residence. The female told officers that earlier in the day, she and Norberg had been arguing. After the argument, Norberg left the residence. She assumed he had gone out drinking. At 8 p.m. the female put the two children to bed. She herself went to bed at 8:30 p.m. About an hour later, Norberg returned home. He had been drinking. He came into the female's bedroom and attempted to start a fight with her. When she ignored him, Norberg went into a child's room and began to call the child offensive names. At that point, the female told Norberg to quit bothering the child. Norberg pulled out a 9mm silver pistol and placed it to her head. A witness confirmed that Norberg had put the pistol to the female's head and that Norberg threatened to "shoot them all." The witness confirmed that that the handgun was silver and that Norberg owned such a gun. After lengthy negotiations with Norberg, deputies and officers were able to enter the residence. Norberg told the law enforcement officers he had no weapons and no guns. He said he never had a gun and had not threatened the female. Norberg granted the officers permission to search the residence. The pistol was located, hidden in a floor vent in the master bathroom under a pile of clothes. Officers confronted Norberg about the firearm, which was a loaded 9mm Lorcin automatic pistol. Norberg has a previous conviction for fifth-degree domestic assault and a disorderly conduct conviction. He is currently under a no-drink order.

Scott Lee Fairbanks, 32, of Deer River, amended his plea to guilty April 7 to felony theft of movable property. He will be sentenced May 11.

On Dec. 21, the manager of a store in the Paul Bunyan Mall called the Bemidji Police Department regarding a theft. He stated that he had just observed two individuals take a large yellow pin-ball type gum ball machine from the hallway in the mall and load it into the back of an SUV. He observed the vehicle traveling west towards another store. Officers located a vehicle matching the description in the parking lot of a store. The vehicle was occupied by a male and female. The gum ball machine was also found in the vehicle. The individuals stated that they knew nothing about the gum ball machine. A female and male approached the vehicle and identified themselves. The male identified himself as Fairbanks. Fairbanks said he and the other male had taken the gum-ball machine from the mall. The other individual said he was with Fairbanks when they took the machine. They said it was a prank and they intended to drop it off at another location. The manager identified the individuals. The value of the machine was $3,500.

Orland James Spears, 18, of Red Lake, amended his plea to guilty April 7 to felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. He will be sentenced June 1.

At 3:23 p.m. March 1, Beltrami County Sheriff's deputies were advised that the Red Lake Police Department was in pursuit of a motor vehicle heading south on Indian Service Road 19, which turns into Beltrami County Road 15 or Irvine Avenue at the reservation line. The driver drove into a ditch and got stuck. The officer observed the driver climb out the window and start running across the field on foot.

Shaunika Marie Steele, 27, of Bemidji, pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 7 for misdemeanor liquor purchase - sell or furnish to a person under 21. She was sentenced to 90 days in jail, of which 77 days are stayed for one year, and placed on probation to the courts for one year. She was originally charged with gross misdemeanor furnishing alcohol to a minor.

She must serve four days in jail and was given credit for nine days served, pay a fine of $333 and have no same or similar offenses.

At 9:20 p.m. Dec. 2, Steele was identified as a passenger in a vehicle that was traveling erratically and too fast for prevailing conditions. A case of beer was found in the rear seat. The odor of alcohol was detectedt. The 17-year-old driver said Steele had purchased the beer and that he had consumed a beer in her presence. Steele was arrested and transported to the jail. Steele gave inconsistent stories about who had purchased the beer. At one point, she claimed that she had purchased the beer. Subsequently, she claimed that another male had purchased the beer, according to the complaint. She then claimed she had consumed the one bottle of beer that was missing. The male driver stated that after he drank the beer, Steele threw the empty bottle out of the car at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Second Street South. A bottle was subsequently recovered at the site and was found to match the case of beer found in the car.

Maxine Joan Howard, 47, of Cass Lake, pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 7 for gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation, inimical to public safety. She was sentenced to 91 days in jail, of which 89 days are stayed for two years, and placed on probation to the courts for two years.

She was given credit for two days served, ordered to pay a fine of $330 and not have any driver's license violations.

At 8 p.m. Jan. 27, 2008, Leech Lake Police officers observed Howard get into a vehicle at a gas station and drive north on Cass County Road 75. The officer initiated a traffic stop. Her license was suspended as inimical to public safety.

Richard Allen Kingbird Sr. 40, of Bemidji, pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 10 for gross misdemeanor second-degree DWI. He was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 341 days are stayed for four years, and four years of supervised probation.

He must serve 10 days in jail with credit for 21 days served, pay a fine of $83, successfully complete DWI Court and pay all associated fees, not use alcohol or controlled substances, not enter bars or liquor stores, submit to random testing, not drive without insurance or a valid driver's license, follow all instructions of probation and remain law-abiding.

At 2:05 a.m. Jan. 10, A Beltrami County Sheriff's deputy responded to a call of a vehicle in the ditch at the intersection of County Road 8, Division Street West and Stone Lake Road in Bemidji. A tan SUV was in the ditch, and a second vehicle was attempting to pull the vehicle out of the ditch. The male driver of the SUV was identified as Kingbird. Kingbird said when he was turning around he backed into the ditch. The deputy observed Kingbird fall down on three separate occasions while trying to retrieve his driver's license from the vehicle. The odor of alcohol and slurred speech were observed. Kingbird later indicated that he had to swerve to miss a vehicle in the roadway. Upon investigation, it appeared the vehicle had been backed into the ditch. Field sobriety tests were not performed because Kingbird was wet and covered in snow. Preliminary breath alcohol concentration registered .17. He was arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail where he gave a urine sample to be analyzed by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Kingbird said he was trying to get his SUV out of the ditch and admitted he was drunk. He answered all the questions on the DWI offense report. His license is currently revoked and he has three prior DWI convictions.

In Beltrami County District Court before Judge Shari Schluchter:

Tony Lamaine Harrison, 36, of Redby, pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 13 for gross misdemeanor giving a peace officer a false name. He was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 333 days are stayed for two years, and placed on probation to the courts for two years.

He must serve six days in jail and was given credit for 25 days served, pay a fine of $583 and remain law-abiding.

On March 20, 2009, Bemidji Police officers found a vehicle stuck in the mud and abandoned in a parking lot on 23rd Street in Bemidji. An officer observed a man, approach the passenger side of the vehicle, look around, and then climb into the passenger seat. When asked for identification, the man identified himself with a false name. The name was listed as an alias for Harrison. He was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant issued in Hennepin County.

David Lee Kingbird, 18, of Cass Lake, pleaded guilty April 13 to gross misdemeanor giving a peace officer a false name and misdemeanor liquor consumption by persons under 21. He was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 352 days are stayed for two years, and placed on probation to the court for two years.

He must serve 15 days in jail, pay a fine of $651, remain law-abiding, complete an alcohol assessment and follow all recommendations, not use alcohol, not enter any bars or liquor stores and submit to random testing.

At 5:40 a.m. April 4, Bemidji Police officers responded to a 911 hang-up call on the 800 block of 26th Street N.W. While en route, officers were informed by dispatch that the caller had been locked out of her apartment and was currently in the midst of an argument with an individual within the apartment. Upon entry into the apartment, the officer saw four additional individuals in the apartment. One of the individuals, subsequently identified as Kingbird, gave a false name and birth date to the officer. The officer detected the odor of alcohol and bloodshot, watery eyes. He was subsequently identified as Kingbird and was under the legal age for alcohol consumption and has two outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was continually uncooperative with the officer and made threats towards the officer's safety. A preliminary breath alcohol concentration test was unable to be performed.

Patrick Allen Brun, 37, of Red Lake, pleaded innocent to felony domestic assault April 13. His next court date will be June 2.

According to the criminal complaint, at 7 a.m. Nov. 1, Beltrami Sheriff's deputies responded to a residence in Alpine Village Trailer Court for a report of a domestic assault. While en route, dispatch informed the deputies that the female victim was now safe, as the assailant had fled the scene. A name and a description of the assailant were provided. The female informed deputies that Brun had been with her earlier in the morning, the complaint states. She said she and Brun became embroiled in an argument earlier in the morning and he head-butted her twice in the face without provocation. Sheriff's deputies observed remnants of blood on her shirt as well as a ring of blood around her mouth and nose, according to the complaint. Brun has prior convictions for domestic assault. He was unable to be located at the time of the incident.

Jordan Elliot Kahbeah, 24, of Bemidji, pleaded innocent Dec. 29, to felony domestic abuse - violations of two or more Orders for Protection within 10 years of a previous conviction. His next court date will be June 2.

According to the criminal complaint, at 8:30 p.m. June 24, Bemidji Police officers were dispatched to a local business in response to an alleged assault that had occurred in or near a vehicle in the parking lot. Upon arrival, the officers met with employees, who pointed to a white vehicle in the parking lot. The officer observed a female standing to the side of the driver's door holding keys; she had blood on both her hands, forearm and on her shirt, the complaint states. When asked how the blood had gotten onto her hands and forearm, she did not answer the officers. The employees told the officer that the male individual had fled into the store upon discovering law enforcement had been called. Officers were unable to locate the male. Officers observed indicators of alcohol impairment on the female, according to the complaint. Employees informed the officers that the female had been driving the vehicle. She was arrested and transported to the jail. She informed the officers that Kahbeah was with her in the parking lot. A female individual, who was also present, said that she had witnessed Kahbeah and the female arguing, the complaint states. Kahbeah fled in order to avoid apprehension for the violation of the OFP and probation violation on his felony sentence. He has prior convictions for domestic assault and outstanding warrants and Orders for Protection have been issued against him.

Jeffery Swen Anderson, 27, of Tenstrike, pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 13 for gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI. He was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 341 days are stayed for three years, and placed on probation to the courts for three years.

He must serve one month in jail with work release, pay a fine of $958, not use alcohol, not enter bars or liquor stores, submit to random testing, complete alcohol assessment, within 60 days and follow all recommendations and remain law-aiding.

At midnight April 4, a Beltrami County Sheriff's deputy observed a vehicle in the ditch near the intersection of Hagali Road and Gull Lake Loop Road. The deputy observed a male in the driver's seat. The driver, who was later identified as Anderson, smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech, appeared to be nervous and fidgety. He failed field sobriety tests and registered a preliminary breath alcohol concentration of .14. He was arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail where he registered a breath alcohol concentration of .15. He admitted to drinking approximately eight beers at a friend's house with the last drink consumed approximately 20 minutes before the accident. He admitted that he was under the influence. He has a prior DWI conviction.

Arlen Lee Jacobson, 22, of Bemidji, pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 13 for gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI. He was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 355 days are stayed for three years, and placed on probation to the courts for three years.

He must serve eight days in jail with credit for two days served, pay a fine of $833, complete an alcohol assessment and follow all recommendations, not drink and drive, submit to random testing and remain law-abiding.

At 12:55 a.m. Feb. 16, a Bemidji Police officer observed a vehicle on Bemidji Avenue near Tenth Street with un-illuminated taillights. The officer initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as Jacobson. The officer observed the odor of alcohol, bloodshot, watery eyes and clumsy movements. Jacobson admitted to having consumed two beers prior to driving. He failed field sobriety tests and refused to provide an adequate breath sample, but the officer was able to manually capture a reading of .16. He was arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail where he registered .20 breath alcohol.

Andrea Jean Dobson-Swanson, 35, of Bemidji, pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 13 for gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI, refusal to submit. She was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 355 days are stayed, and placed on probation to the courts for three years.

She must serve eight days in jail with credit for two days served, pay a fine of $833, complete an alcohol assessment and follow all recommendations, not drink and drive and submit to random testing and remain law-abiding.

At 12:50 a.m. March 19, a Beltrami County Sheriff's deputy observed a vehicle driving south on state Highway 89 that appeared to be exceeding the speed limit. The vehicle registered a speed of 67 mph. The deputy observed the vehicle cross the center line on two occasions. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver was identified as Dobson-Swanson. The deputy observed the odor of alcohol, slurred speech, bloodshot, watery eyes and slow and lethargic movements. She failed field sobriety tests, and in response to her failed attempts, she said, "It's not going to happen. I'm drunk, and I'm sorry." After failing the walk-and-turn test, she stated "I can't do it. I'm drunk." She refused to give a breath sample in the field. She was arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail where she refused to participate in the test, stating it's her "God-given right."

Lori Ann Smith, 33, of Bemidji, pleaded guilty and was sentenced April 13 for gross misdemeanor giving a peace officer a false name and misdemeanor driving after revocation. She was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 348 days are stayed for two years, and was placed on probation to the courts for two years.

She must serve seven days in jail with credit for 16 days served, pay a fine of $583, with community service granted.

At 9:50 a.m. March 29, a Bemidji Police officer observed an eastbound vehicle, which failed to yield at the intersection of Minnesota Avenue and Tenth Street Northwest. The officer was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision with the vehicle as it crossed through the intersection. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver, subsequently identified as Smith, gave a false name and birth date. She could not provide identification. A male and female party and two children were also in the vehicle. Both children were unrestrained. The other female identified the driver as Smith and said Smith had recently gotten married, so she may have a different last name. In light of this information the driver was asked what her name was again, and she stated her correct name and birth date. Her driving privileges are revoked. She was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Remberto Howard, 26, of Redby, pleaded innocent April 13 to felony second-degree burglary of a dwelling. His next court date will be June 2.

According to the criminal complaint, at 2:40 p.m. March 17, three Bemidji Police officers responded to a report of two suspicious males kicking at the door of a residence on the 100 block of Mississippi Avenue S.W. Upon arrival, the officers found the west door of a residence damaged. Two suspects were located inside the residence and were arrested. The reporting party said she noticed two males walking on Oak Street acting suspicious. She indicated that they were looking around at the house and walked to the west door of the house, according to the complaint. She reported that they looked into the doors and the window before walking behind a garage on the same property. A short time later the males came back to the house and again looked into the door. One of the male individuals kicked at the door and the witness immediately called 911. One of the males was identified as Howard. Evidence was taken from the scene by police officers. The officers found a large camouflage duffel bag lying on the floor in the living room, desk drawers and dresser drawers were left open. The other male indicated that he had met Howard on the street that morning and that together they decided to break into the house and try and get some money, the complaint states. He admitted to kicking the door open and finding jewelry. Howard was unwilling to provide a statement.

Richard James Smith, 18, of Redby, pleaded guilty March 16 to felony fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI refusal to submit and misdemeanor giving a peace officer a false name. He was sentenced to 66 days in jail and four years of supervised probation.

He must serve 66 days in jail, pay a fine of $1091, follow all instructions of probation, complete an alcohol assessment and follow all recommendations, complete aftercare, not use alcohol or controlled substances, not enter bars or liquor stores, submit to random testing, take medications in the prescribed dosage and frequency, not drive without insurance or a valid driver's license, supply a DNA sample, complete counseling and remain law-abiding

On March 1, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper clocked a vehicle traveling south on state Highway 89 at 73 mph in a 55 mph zone. The trooper activated emergency lights, but the driver fled. Beltrami County Sheriff's deputies found the vehicle in the ditch in Eckles Township. Smith refused to submit to preliminary breath tests. He has outstanding warrants for theft and escape from custody, and his license is currently revoked.

Xavier Maximillian Little, 28, of Bemidji, pleaded guilty April 13 to felony fifth-degree possession of drugs. His next court date will be May 26.

At 5:30 p.m. March 12, a Bemidji Police officer observed a vehicle traveling south on Irvine Avenue at 26th Street Northwest. The vehicle stopped at a gas station. Little exited the vehicle and went into the store. Little left the store and drove off. The officer was informed by dispatch that Little had an outstanding warrant for arrest. The vehicle then traveled south on Park Avenue and stopped in the 1600 block. Little exited the vehicle and started walking toward a residence. The officer asked Little to stop. Little began to argue with he officer and started to walk away. The officer observed little push his hand into a snowdrift on the east side of the road. The officer went to the location and pulled out a clear plastic bag containing numerous smaller baggies of what appeared to be marijuana. Little was arrested. A small scale was found on his person. A subsequent check confirmed the plastic bag contained 11 separate baggies of marijuana with a total weight of 88.5 grams. A body only warrant was confirmed from Pine County, Minn.

Todd ElmerLeroy Kise, 24, of Bemidji, pleaded innocent April 13 to gross misdemeanor obstruction of the legal process - lawful execution of legal process. His next court date will be June 2.

According to the criminal complaint, at 12:45 p.m. Jan. 31, Beltrami County Sheriff's deputies and agents of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Beltrami County Human Services went to the apartment of Lillie Kise to arrest her for the murder of Christopher Anderson. Lillie pleaded innocent to the charge April 6. She was located in her apartment and was advised that she was under arrest. When asked if there was anyone else in the apartment, she indicated that only her baby was in the apartment. Lillie Kise's brother, Todd Kise, was located in the bathroom of her apartment according to the complaint. Todd Kise was directed to the kitchen area of the apartment, while the officers secured the remainder of the apartment and made arrangements for the infant. Lillie Kise attempted to lock herself in a bedroom and yelled to her brother that the officers were arresting her for murder, the complaint states. At this point, the complaint states that Todd Kise attempted to intervene in the officers' efforts to secure his sister. Despite being informed that he should simply go to a neutral portion of the apartment and let the officers dot their work, Toss Kise struggled with the investigator in an attempt to aid his sister, the complaint states. Two officers were able to bring him under control.

Nakoa Neeland, 30, of Fargo, N.D., pleaded guilty April 13 to felony fifth-degree sale of marijuana. His next court date will be May 26.

At 1:15 a.m. Feb. 28, a Bemidji Police officer observed a vehicle traveling south on Second Street with an un-illuminated front headlight. The officer initiated a traffic stop and observed a passenger seated behind the driver making furtive movements and pushing something into the crevice of the backseat. The officer identified the driver. In speaking with the driver, the officer noticed a small baggie, which appeared to contain raw marijuana sitting in front of the arm rest between the driver and the passenger seats of the vehicle. The officer asked the passenger what he was stuffing in the crevice. The passenger said, "I don't know what you're talking about." The officer observed fresh blood on the individual's right pant leg in the thigh area and the passenger had blood coming from his right knuckle. The passenger was identified as Neeland. The officer noticed a plastic baggie sticking out of the crack between the bench and the back rest of the seat. The bag contained a large amount of marijuana. Another large bag of marijuana was also located. The officer removed several empty baggies found in the area where Neeland was sitting in the car. They were identical to the other baggies; 100 grams of marijuana were seized. Neeland has prior felony convictions for burglary, receiving stolen property and criminal menacing and needed to be extradited from Minnesota for failure to appear in court in North Dakota.

Darlene Marie Kimbitskey Peake, 26, of Bemidji, pleaded guilty March 9 for gross misdemeanor third-degree DWI and was sentenced April 13. She was sentenced to one year in jail, of which 341 days are stayed for three years, and placed on probation to the courts for three years.

She must serve one month in jail, pay a fine of $958, complete an alcohol assessment and follow all recommendations, not use alcohol, not enter bars or liquor stores, submit to random testing and remain law abiding.

At 1:22 a.m. Feb. 20, a Bemidji Police officer observed and heard a vehicle approaching the intersection of Fourth Street and Minnesota Avenue from the west. The officer heard a loud scraping, crunching noise and observed sparks coming from the area of the right front wheel of the vehicle. The officer further observed that the right front tire was partially off of the rim while being driven. The officer initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle stopped on the curb. The driver was identified as Kembitskey Peake; she smelled of alcohol, was confused and non-responsive in answering questions, clumsy and had bloodshot, watery eyes. Kembitskey Peake produced multiple identification cards but refused to give them to the officer. She initially denied drinking and then admitted to drinking a little bit and finally admitted to having just consumed a drink. She failed field sobriety tests and registered a preliminary blood alcohol concentration of .191. She was arrested and transported to the Beltrami County Jail, where she registered a breath alcohol concentration of .15. Her license is currently revoked and she has one prior DWI conviction.